Illinois fell to Purdue 34-31 in overtime on Saturday in heart-breaking fashion. The Illini won the coin toss and had the first chance to score in OT, but a fumble by Illini quarterback Chayce Crouch was recovered by Purdue, setting up the game-winning field goal by J.D. Dellinger.

The Illini had a chance to win the game in regulation. Illinois linebacker Hardy Nickerson picked off a tipped Purdue pass with :37 remaining in the fourth quarter. Illinois took over and moved the ball to the Purdue 24-yard line. With :03 on the game clock, a 41-yard field goal try by sophomore Chase McLaughlin bounced off the right goal post as time expired, sending the game into overtime.

Crouch fumbled, putting Purdue in the driver's seat. Illinois looked bad offensively early in the game, but they fought back and Crouch orchestrated some solid drives. Despite a poor performance by the defense, the Illini had a chance to win the game. Crouch’s fumble was the only turnover by Illinois on the afternoon, but it couldn’t have come at a worse time.

Illinois was crippled by an inordinate number of dead ball penalties, including two excessive celebration penalties that gave Purdue good field position. Overall, the Illini were whistled 12 times for 125 yards. You can’t win games that way. With 45 seconds remaining the game, Carroll Phillips inexplicably roughed Purdue QB David Blough, giving the Boilermakers first down at mid-field. Phillips was called for targeting and ejected from the game. Phillips was bailed out by the Nickerson interception.

There were other missed opportunities. Illinois had first and goal at the Purdue 6-yard line on its opening drive of the game. Three consecutive power plays to Kendrick Foster later, it was 4th down at the Purdue 1-yard line. Lovie Smith elected to take the points, and McLaughlin field goal made it Illinois 3 Purdue 0. A 1-3 football team should be taking a few chances, especially against a struggling opponent. Illinois should have gone for it.

Purdue entered the game ranked No. 118 in the nation in rushing offensive vs. FBS opponent. Against Illinois, the Boilermakers rushed for 231 yards. They put up those gawdy numbers without star running back Marell Jones, who is sidelined with an injury. Illinois has a history of turning backups into stars. On Saturday, it was freshman Brian Lankford-Johnson, who rushed for 127 yards. Purdue converted 9-16 chances on third down.

Despite the crushing turnover in overtime, quarterback Chayce Crouch breathed some life into the Illinois offense. He ran for 137 yards and two TD’s on 17 carries, the fourth most every by an Illini QB. He also completed 10-14 passes for 142 yards. Fans saw a small glimpse of what the Illinois offense looks like with a dual-threat quarterback at the helm. Crouch is the first Illinois quarterback with over 100 yards rushing since Reilly O'Toole had 147 against Northwestern in 2014.

MLB Hardy Nickerson finished with 8 tackles and two interceptions. He came up with the defensive play of the game, picking off Purdue quarterback David Blough with :37 seconds remaining. Illinois couldn’t capitalize, however, as McLaughlin’s kick missed.